HDB renting in singapore

[zdaz]

Hi
I found an HDB for a more or less reasonable price but i have some concerns about it : it is in a HDB building on the second floor. the first floor being rented to different shops/
When asking about what I should do to get a DSL subscrition; the owner told me that it was registered under a commercial zone and that it wasnt possible to get residential subscriptions there.
this made me wonder if the owner was actually allowed to rent the apt or not.
how can I check that ?
is there any official document that can prove that ?
the owner also tells me that the shop downstairs and the apt have the same address. cant this be confusing for any authority that will check ?
thanks for your help
Z.

[JR8]

Hi
I found an HDB for a more or less reasonable price but i have some concerns about it : it is in a HDB building on the second floor. the first floor being rented to different shops/
When asking about what I should do to get a DSL subscrition; the owner told me that it was registered under a commercial zone and that it wasnt possible to get residential subscriptions there.
this made me wonder if the owner was actually allowed to rent the apt or not.
how can I check that ?
is there any official document that can prove that ?
the owner also tells me that the shop downstairs and the apt have the same address. cant this be confusing for any authority that will check ?
thanks for your help
Z.

Apt has own front door eh? On corridor next to other apartments yah? Has number on door? What is the address shown on your leasing agreement? #02-??

p.s. you don't need a wired connection, you can get a dongle and connect via GPRS. Knowing what your home address actually is would help though.

[zdaz]

It has private front door next to shops.
number written by agent on tenancy agreement is #2 although (still according to him) the official adress is #1-...

[sundaymorningstaple]

This is possible. Some of the older HDB estates that have shophouses on the ground floor also had the floor above the ground floor. In fact, some even have a dumbwaiter arrangement (manual life) within the shop to carry stock upstairs. Often these are accessable by a private staircase or are on a corridor like most with an external door to a main corridor.

As to the legality I'm not sure. I do know a number of shop keepers in my estate with that type of arrangement, let their foreigner workers stay in the units above the shophouse. Would be wise to check with HDB to ensure all is on the up and up.

[zdaz]

that's exactly what I'm going to do.
I hope the HDB people won't get confused by the #1 - #2
thank you very much for your help

[therat]

Some HDB shop has 2 level.
First floor is for the shop to run business.
Second floor is for the shop to store their goods and for their worker to stay.

Hence it is not allow to rent out to outsider who is not their workers.

Does your agent register your rental to HDB?
If yes, ask for proof.

[ksl]

that's exactly what I'm going to do.
I hope the HDB people won't get confused by the #1 - #2
thank you very much for your help

HDB will have authorised the owner they can rent out! If not it is illegal!

[therat]

TS, since you mention commercial zone. Guess, it might related to you.

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10330p.nsf ... enDocument

Commercial Tenants and Lessees : Managing Your Rental Premises

Term and Conditions
Pre-requisite

Tenants of commercial premises are allowed to sublet up to 50% of the trading area or living quarters (for residential use). HDB will consider allowing the subletting if:

Tenant has complied with conditions in the Tenancy Agreement during their existing term of tenancy with HDB
There is no arrears due to HDB by tenant
Tenant is not a bankrupt
Proposed trade of the sub-tenant is an allowable trade and must be operated within the premises.



Select length of term tenancy

The tenant may opt to sublet part of the premises at either the balance term or fresh 1, 2 or 3 year term. For a fresh term tenancy, the proposed rent would be revised to the prevailing market rent or remain at the existing rent, whichever is higher.

For a balance term tenancy, the proposed rent shall remain at the existing rent.


Sublet Living Quarters (LQ)

1Tenants are allowed to sublet their LQ to up to 8 persons for residential use. With effect from 7 Nov 06, foreign construction workers (non-Malaysian) are not allowed to be sub-tenants of HDB flats or LQ of our shops.

2Tenants are not allowed to convert their LQ into a worker's dormitory.

3Tenants who wish to sublet their LQ for commercial use are required to submit a written request to HDB for approval before doing so. Upon approval from HDB, they would also need to apply for URA's approval for the change of use.

4Tenants are to ensure that their subtenants do not cause any nuisance e.g. noise or other disamenities.